Was erected near the Abbey church, in 1778. The institution is supported
by voluntary subscription, and children from every part of the town, boys
as well as girls are admissible. The system of instruction pursued is
that of Dr. Bell, the master having a salary of £40. and the mistress
£30. The dress of the children is brown, and hence it is sometimes
called the brown school. The number in the school at the date of the
last report, June 1822, were, boys 190—girls 150.
Royal Lancasterian School.
This edifice was built in 1812, in consequence of a lecture delivered on
the subject of Education, by the celebrated Joseph Lancaster, at the Town
Hall, in Shrewsbury. As its name imports, the system of instruction is
that of Mr. Lancaster. There is one apartment for boys and one for
girls, to each of which children are admitted, on being recommended by
subscribers. It is supported by voluntary subscriptions and donations.
Number of boys 260; girls 217.
St. Chad’s Alms-Houses.
“This yeare 1409, one Bennett Tupton, being a common Beere Bruar, and
dwellinge in St. Chadd’s Churche Yarde in Shrousberie, now called the
Colledge, founded the Almeshouses in the sayde St. Chadd’s Churche
Yarde in Shrousberie, beinge then a man at that tyme of 60 yeares of
age.”
Originally they were 13 in number, but not having any funds, two are
fallen to decay. The present allowance to the poor is about 16s. per
annum, including 2_s._ 2_d._ paid by the company of mercers.
St. Mary’s Alms-Houses,
Situate at the western end of St. Mary’s church-yard, were founded 1460,
by Degory Watur, draper. They are 16 in number, extremely wretched and
filthy in appearance, and dangerous and unwholesome from their smallness,
each having only a single apartment 11 feet by 8, without any outlet.
The centre house, originally inhabited by the founder, and called the
hall, is larger than the others, and has a wooden porch, on which is a
painting of Watur and his wife, and on the front is the effigy of King
Edward IV. The poor people, who must be parishioners of St. Mary’s, have
each £2. 6_s._ 10½_d._ allowed them annually, by quarterly payments from
the draper’s company, and an upper garment once in two years.
St. Giles’ Alms-Houses,
Near St. Giles’ church, in the Abbey Foregate. The houses are four in
number. The residents in them are nominated by the earl of Tankerville,
who allows them 1_s._ 6_d._ per week, with a quantity of coals and an
upper garment annually.
Sick Man’s Friend and Lying-In Charity.
The objects of this Institution, which was begun in 1810, are the relief
of the diseased, and of poor married women in childbed, at their own
houses; who not only receive medical assistance, if necessary, but the
use of bed linen, food and every other necessary that their situation
requires. The meetings of the Committee are held at the Independent
Chapel, on Swan-hill.
Samaritan Society & Lying-In Charity,
Is similar in its objects and institution to the former. Its operations
commenced in 1814, and the meetings of its Committee are held in the
vestry of St. John’s Chapel.
Ladies’ Charity,
Was instituted in 1814, by some benevolent females, solely for the
purpose of assisting poor married women with cloathing, food, and other
necessaries requisite for their situation. The meetings of the Committee
are held in the vestry of St. Chad’s church.
The extensive scale on which the three last named charities are
conducted, and the liberality with which their benefits are dispensed, to
the deserving poor, place them among the first charitable institutions
which so much distinguish the town of Shrewsbury. Their operations are
confined to no sect or party, and they design nothing but the purest
philanthropy. Their laudable plans are promoted by the individual
exertions and charitable subscriptions of the members, each of whom pay
2_s._ per quarter and upwards. The number of the members is about 300.
No public buildings are connected with these praise-worthy
establishments, the present mode of relief being considered superior to
those of an hospital.